Series honors African-American musicians

Written by

Robert S. Patterson

Visitors to and citizens of Nashville during February can celebrate Black History Month in true Music City style by enjoying a series of live performances that highlight up and coming African-American musicians. The Music City Soul Series is produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with Jazz & Jokes, a local minority-owned business, and is a key element of the Music City brand. You won’t want to miss it.

When Nashvillians say “Music Calls Us Home,” we are making a statement both about the diversity of our music offerings as well as why musicians of all genres and visitors from all over the world are welcomed in Nashville. One of Nashville’s most appealing features is its reputation for being the friendliest city in the country. Our visitors repeatedly tell us that this is a key consideration when they choose to come here, and a key reason why they return again and again. Our brand of inviting Southern hospitality welcomes all cultures.

Not only is this who we are as a city, it’s good business. The African-American market segment represents $45 billion in spending nationally for the leisure, business and meetings industry. Nashville’s CVB has a consistent and concentrated effort on multicultural sales, marketing and events, and it has paid dividends. The city has booked groups and events such as the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Gospel Music Workshop of American, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the National Baptist Congress, the National Association of Black Accountants and the National Society of Black Engineers.

As proud citizens of Music City, the CVB has championed a number of efforts to highlight the inclusiveness of the Music City brand. The CVB is a major supporter of the National Museum of African-American Music project, as it will serve as a signature attraction for all visitors to Nashville.

The fourth annual Music City Soul Series will feature local artists Regi Wooten and Friends, Herschel Bailey, Grammy-award winner Kirk Whalum, April Rucker, Kim Fleming and Lo Carter. Ticket information and a complete performance schedule can be found at visitmusiccity.com/soulseries.

Diversity is one of Nashville’s greatest strengths as a forward-thinking, progressive destination that warrants celebration. The Music City Soul Series is a great opportunity to highlight that strength to locals and visitors alike, and showcase some of the best of Music City.

Robert S. Patterson is chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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